Investors buying Camoplast's thermoplastic division

By: Rhoda Miel

October 3, 2012

SHERBROOKE, QUEBEC (Oct. 3, 3:15 p.m. ET) — Private equity firm Desjardins Group is buying the thermoplastic division of Canada’s Camoplast Solideal. The division’s management team also will have a stake in the business.

The new firm will oversee all of Camoplast’s operations related to developing, manufacturing and the sale of injection molded and blow molded products. It will operate under the name Exo-s once the deal is completed.

“By becoming a standalone business, the team we have will be able to focus on accelerating our growth perspectives,” said Emmanuel Duchesne, CEO of Exo-s, in a news release.

Terms of the deal were not released.

The new company will be based in Sherbrooke, Quebec, and have 500 employees with additional operations in the Michigan towns of Three Rivers, Coldwater and Centerville as well as a sales office in Troy, Mich.

The business makes engine covers, thermal systems, coolant reservoirs washer reservoirs and air induction systems for the auto industry and a variety of agriculture and all-terrain utility vehicle parts.

Montreal-based Desjardins Capital said the investment will help ensure continued growth for “Quebec’s most promising businesses” while allowing them to retain a local base.

Camoplast, meanwhile, will be able to continue its focus on the design, manufacturing and distribution of off-road tires, tracks, undercarriage systems and other components for the agriculture, material handling and off-road sports equipment industries.